His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, has inaugurated the World Congress on Rehabilitation Conference 2024, held under his patronage for the first time in the Middle East at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, under the theme Work and Rehabilitation.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, His Excellency Engineer Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, His Excellency Dr Saif Sultan Al Nasseri, Undersecretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, His Excellency Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Competitiveness Council, His Excellency Dr Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), Her Excellency Sana Mohammed Suhail, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, His Excellency Engineer Maysarah Eid, Acting Director -General of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Infrastructure and Projects, along with several prominent national figures.
Also present at the opening were His Excellency Chang Yiming, Ambassador of China to the UAE, His Excellency Yoo Jeh Seung, Ambassador of South Korea to the UAE, His Excellency Edward Hobart, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the UAE, Zhang Haidi, President of Rehabilitation International, Mohammed Azman, President of the International Social Security Association, Annette Tabbara, Director General at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for Germany, Her Excellency Gabriela Michetti, former Vice President of Argentina, His Excellency Pavel Krikov, Deputy Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast for Russia, Her Excellency Tatiana Merzlyakova, Ombudsman for Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, His Excellency Vyacheslav Yarin, Minister of International and Economic Relations of Sverdlovsk Oblast for Russia, and Dr Haifa Al Kaylani, President of the Arab International Women's Forum.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa region at Rehabilitation International, expressed in his opening speech the pride of the organisation and Abu Dhabi in hosting the conference, which reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive society that provides all individuals with the opportunities to grow and thrive. His Excellency pointed out that the conference is not only about showcasing achievements in this field but also about offering a platform for learning from global leaders and experts, as well as from distinguished experiences that reinforce principles of justice and inclusion.
His Excellency Al Humaidan said: "The conference holds great significance as it brings together a group of the most important experts from around the world. The diverse experiences and expertise shared in this year’s edition stand as evidence of the commitment to developing the rehabilitation and inclusivity sector globally. The presence of global experts, policymakers and investors will ensure that the discussions during the conference play a major role in shaping best practices in inclusivity and transformational solutions that will benefit individuals and communities, as we lay the foundation for a more inclusive future for all.
"In the UAE, our commitment to the rights and inclusion of People of Determination is a fundamental pillar of our national visions and strategies. This conference serves as a pivotal moment in our journey toward creating a world where opportunities are available to all, regardless of their abilities, allowing them to thrive and contribute to the betterment of society."
Zhang Haidi, President of Rehabilitation International, said: "The rehabilitation sector focuses on transforming the lives of People of Determination. We are currently witnessing numerous examples of this transformation, such as individuals with hearing impairments regaining their ability to hear through cochlear implants, and those with spinal cord injuries being able to stand and walk again using exoskeleton technology. Rehabilitation technologies significantly contribute to the continuous advancements in brain sciences and artificial intelligence. We hope that Rehabilitation International will play an even greater role in the future. Let us work together to create a more inclusive world where People of Determination can lead inspiring lives."
Mohammed Azman, President of the International Social Security Association, said: "Rehabilitation is not merely a priority but a fundamental pillar of an inclusive society, closely tied to the core of social security systems. Through international cooperation and emerging technologies, we can overcome challenges. Our goal should not only be to make rehabilitation accessible and affordable but also more equitable, ensuring that access extends beyond developed countries and into developing nations. This conference provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge, gain insights, and draw inspiration from the latest innovations in rehabilitation, particularly in the areas of work and employment."
Azman congratulated Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, considering this milestone a reflection of the humanitarian vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Azman noted that the UAE’s achievements in the field of rehabilitation are exceptional and reaffirm the country’s leadership and commitment to inclusivity.
In his keynote address at the conference, Dr Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Workforce Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: "The Global Rehabilitation Conference highlights the UAE’s unwavering commitment to empowering People of Determination and their active integration into society. The UAE is keen on strengthening collaborative frameworks with global partners to enhance the quality of life for communities worldwide. Under the guidance of its wise leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the country has succeeded in presenting an inspiring global model for supporting and empowering People of Determination, activating their effective role across various fields.
"The primary goal of hosting and organizing such conferences is to provide a platform where we can all share visions, strategies, and avenues for collaboration and joint work to achieve a noble goal centered on the well-being of our communities around the world. We have already made significant and recognized progress in empowering People of Determination, enhancing their integration into society, and activating their role in achieving ambitious national strategies."
The conference commenced with a panel discussion titled Empowering Diversity: Inclusion, Employment, and Participation of People of Determination, moderated by His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan, Secretary General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at Rehabilitation International, and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Global Rehabilitation Conference. The session featured Her Excellency Gabriela Michetti, former Vice President of Argentina (2015-2019), Dr Annette Tabbara, Director General at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Germany, Paulina Lampinen, Chair of the Policy and Services Committee at Rehabilitation International, and Dr Haifa Al Kaylani, President of the Arab International Women’s Forum.
The session discussed a range of key topics, including developing public policies and institutional frameworks for inclusion, employment, and participation of People of Determination, retaining skilled labor through effective rehabilitation, pathways to an inclusive work life, and breaking barriers to build the future by enhancing the economic empowerment of women with disabilities.
During the session, His Excellency Abdullah Al Humaidan showcased a video clip from a dramatic production by Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in collaboration with its strategic partners, aimed at highlighting the talents of individuals with disabilities to redefine inclusivity in media. Dr Annette Tabbara presented on the labour shortage in Germany and the importance of effective rehabilitation, while Her Excellency Gabriela Michetti, former Vice President of Argentina, delivered an inspiring speech in which she shared her personal experience as a Person of Determination, emphasising the importance of translating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into actionable policies.
The conference will run until 25 September 2024, as part of a collaboration between Rehabilitation International (RI), the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. The event attracts more than 800 participants from over 70 countries, including leaders, officials, experts, academics, researchers in the rehabilitation and healthcare sectors, service providers, and representatives of public and private institutions dedicated to improving the quality of life for People of Determination. Additionally, 20 local entities are participating, with remote access available for following the conference sessions and workshops online.
The current edition of the conference aims to enhance the quality of life for People of Determination and identify distinguished individuals leading change, innovation, and empowerment in the field of rehabilitation. The conference offers an opportunity to benefit from the experiences of successful countries in caring for and rehabilitating People of Determination, with over 190 speakers, including 30 representing the UAE, who will present 70 scientific studies and research papers across more than 30 working sessions.
